Electrical switching device



Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Kingston Products of Indiana Mich, minor to Application May 9, 1936, Serial No. 78,829

7 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical switching devices, more particularly to the type of switching devices suitable for operating signalling devices on an automotive vehicle, and the principal object of this invention is to provide new and improved devices of this type.

In the drawings accompanying the specification ,and forming a part of this application, I haveshown, for purposes of illustration, several forms which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of said embodiment,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and showing, in addition, a plug conductor terminal adapted for cooperation with the embodiment,

Figure 4 shows, in perspective, the disassembled parts comprising said embodiment,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal view, similar to Figure 2, but showing a different embodiment of my invention,

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the em- I bodiment shown in Figure 5, as viewed from the right,

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a bracket member forming part of the structure of the embodime'nt shown in Figures 5 and 6,

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of my invention,

Figure 9 shows, in perspective, some of the parts of the embodiment shown in Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing. still another embodiment of my invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 through 4, the embodiment therein disclosed comprises a bracket member 20, preferably formed of sheet metal. As viewed in Figure 4, the bracket member 20 is provided with a generally plane rectangular top 2|, andsides 22, extending integrally from the longitudinal margins of the top 2| in a downwardly direction, the sides 22 having their extremities a-ngularly and outwardly bent to form flanges 23. Each of the flanges 23 is provided with an elongated aperture 24, adapted to accommodate fastening means for securing the bracket member 20 to a support, which may be part of an automotive vehicle.

Formed in the top 2| of the bracket member 20 is an elongated rectangular aperture 25, preferably having its longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the top 2|. Pairs of slots with a generally oval the top 2i and centered with respect to the longi- 6 tudinal axis of the top 2|, are slots 25.

A contact supporting member 29 is provided for closing the aperture 25 in the top 2|, the supporting member 29 being generally oblong in shape and formed of suitable insulating material. 10

The supporting member 29 is provided on its lower face, as viewed in Figure 2, with a reduced rectangular projection 30 which closely fits within the aperture 25, the bottom face of the member 29 adjacent the on the adjacent surface of the top 2|.

The top surface of the member 29 is provided projection 3|, having its longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the member 29. Notches formed in the longitudinal margins of the member 29 to asist in assembling the member 29 with the bracket member 2i. Spaced along the longitudinal axis of and extending through the memfor the accommodation of a pair of contact means 35, and each of the apertures 34 being countersunk from the lower surface of the member 29 to provide wells 36.

The contact means my copending application, Serial Number 51,069, and only a brief description of these contact means is believed to be necessary. Each of the contact means preferably comprises a sheet metal body ribbed as shown at 39 to strengthen the loop portion 38, and further including a tubular portion 40 formed by bent-together U-shaped parts of the body 31, the extremity of the tubular portion 40 being formed with angularly outwardly bent flanges"4l. A sheet metal contact is provided to close the open end of the tubular portion 40, the contact comprising a generally annular dome-shaped portion 42, having a flange projection 30 resting 15 32 and 93 are so her 29 are a pair of oblong apertures 34, providing 5 are fully described in 30 31, including an integral loop portion 99, 5

at its periphery which is adapted to be spun over the flanges M of the tubular portion 40, as shown at 43, A helical spring 44 and a detent member 45 are disposed within the tubular portion 40 before the sheet metal contact is secured to the body 31, the spring 44 being interposed between 45 is yieldably held the sheet metal contact.

- singularly bent portions in the recess provided by the loop portion 38. a Lciical spring 56 is disposed about the tubular portion 40 of each contact means 35, and the loop portion 38 of each contact means 35 is inserted through the related aperture 34 formed in the support member 29, so that the spring 46 is disposed in the well 35 of the aperture 34, the spring 46 being interposed between the bottom oi the well 36 and the spun over extremity 43 of It will be appreciated that the body portion 31 of each contact means 35 in transverse section fits the aperture 34 so that the contact means is held against rotation.

Casing means 41 are provided to cooperate with the bracket meml or 20, so as to substantially enclose all the moving parts of the switching device. The casing means 41, as viewed in Figure 4, is box-iii l shape, having a generally rectangular bottom wall 46, the longitudinal margins of the bottom wall 48 being angularly and upwardly bent to form side walls 49, and the transverse margins of the bottom wall 46 are also angularly and upwardly bent to form end walls 56. The end walls 50 are provided with overlapping the adjacent parts of the side walls 49, and the limiting margin of each end wall 50 is provided with a projecting ear 52. The side walls 49, at their limiting margin, are also provided with pairs of ears 53 and 54. As best shown in Figure 4, the end walls 50 are provided with generally circular apertures 55.

Adapted to be supported by the marginal surfaces of the apertures 55, is an actuating member 56, comprising an elongated tube-like portion preferably formed of sheet metal. As shown in Figures 2 and i, the left hand part of the member 56 forms a closed tube 51, provided with a closed extremity, as at 56, whereas the right hand part of the member 56 is only partially closed, as at 59. Intermediate the parts 51 and 59, the member 56 is reduced in transverse size to substantially semi-circular shape, as shown at 60, providing shoulders 61 and 62 respectively with the parts 51 and 59. The part 59 may be provided with an aperture 63, to provide for connection to suitable means (not shown) for actuating the member 56. A helical spring 64 is adapted to fit within the tube-like confines of the member 56.

Mountable on the tube-like member 56 is a carrier block 65, formed of suitable insulating material, having its top surface, as viewed in Figures 2 and 4, recessed as at 66, and the longitudinal marginal walls of the block 65, substantially midway of their extremities, are provided with notches 61. The bottom surface of the carrier 65, still referring to Figures 2 and 4, is provided with a longitudinally extending generally semi-circular groove 68, and the extremities of the groove 66 are provided with recessed portions 69, substantially concentric with the groove 68. A bridge means is adapted to be carried by the carrier block 65, the bridge means 10 preferably being formed of sheet metal, and opposite margins thereof being locally extended, as at 1!, and these extensions are downwardly bent, as shown in Figure 4, to provide fingers 12.

To assemble the switching mechanism, the actuating member 56 is inserted through the aperture 55 in the left hand end wall 56 (Figures 2 and 4) of the casing means 41, and a sheet metal plate 13 is slipped over the open end of the actuating member 56, the plate 13 having arcuate recesses 14 providing for the passage of the member 56, and also having an abutting portion intermediate he 16. the abut ting portion 15 fitting within the confines the tube-dike member 55. The open end of the member 56 is then inserted through the aperture in the right hand end wall 56 (Figures 2 and i) of the casing means 41, the plate 13 abutting the inner surface of the end wall. It will be apparent that as inserting movement of the member 56 is continued, the spring 64 will be compressed between the closed end 56 of the member 56 and the abutting portion 15 of the plate 13. Inserting movement of the actuating member 56 through the apertures 55 is continued until the shoulder 6| formed on the member 56 clears the inner surface of the adjacent end wall 50. The carrier block 65 is then placed on the actuating member 56, so that the spring 64 will freely extend through the groove 66 of the block 65, and the shoulders 6| and 62 will engage in the recesses 69. The carrier block 65 is thus mounted on the actuating member 56 to move longitudinally with the latter member, and the spring 64 normally urges the left end of the carrier block 65 (Fi ure 2) into abutment with the inner surface of the left end wall 56 of the casing means 41. The bridge means 16 is then placed on the carrier block 65, with its plane body portion positioned on the plane surface of the recessed portion 66, and with the fingers 12 fitting within the notches 61. The top surface of the bridge means in this assembled relation, will be substantially flush with the un recessed top surface of the carrier block 65. It is obvious, of course, that the bridge means 16 may be assembled with the carrier block 65 before the latter is positioned on the actuating member 56. The carrier block 65, and the bridge means 10 carried thereby, may be positioned as shown in Figure 2, or the carrier block may be assembled with the actuating means in a reversed position, that is, the block 65 in Figure 2 is 1'0- t-ated in its own plane, whereby the bridge means 10 will have a different operating relationship with the contact means 35.

The casing means 41, actuating means 56, carrier block 65, and bridge means 10, assembled as hereinbefore described, constitute a unitary assembly adapted to be further assembled with another unitary assembly, which comprises the bracket means 20, the contact means 35, and the supporting member 25. The body portion of each of the contact means 35 is inserted within the respective aperture 34, with each spring 46 bearing against the bottom of the respective well 36.

The supporting member 29 is then placed in prop-.

er position on the bracket means 20, so that the rectangular part 36 thereof fits within the rectangular aperture 25 in the bracket means 25.

To assemble the two unitary assemblies, the easing means 41, with the parts carried thereby, is moved to within the walls 22 of the bracket means 26, with the ears 52, 53, and 54 extending through the slots 26, 26, and 21 respectively. As best shown in Figure 1, the ears 53, 54 lie within the notches 32, 33 formed in the supporting member 29, and the extremities of the ears 53, 54 are clinched over the top surface of the member 23. The ears 52 may also be clinched over the top surface of the bracket means 26, if desired, but in this case the extremities of the ears 52 project from the top surface a slight distance but are not bent, these ears functioning mainly to preregister the casing means 41 with the bracket means 26. It will also be appreciated that the bridge means 10 is preregistered with the carrier block 65, and the latter is preregistered with the actuating means 56, and the assembly including the carrier block and actuating means 56 is preregistered with the casing means 41. Further, the contact means 35 are preregistered with the supporting member 26, and the latter member is preregistered with the bracket means 26. Therefore, it will be obvious that all the parts bear a predetermined relation to each other, so that assembly of the switching device may be readily and correctly effected, without requiring a high degree of skill.

In Figure 3 is shown'a plug conductor 16 of the snap type, in position ready to be assembled with the loop portion 36 of one of the contact means 35. It will be appreciated that insertion of the tapered nose of the plug conductor 16 will cam downwardly the detent member 45, and that at the proper degree of insertion of the plug conductor 16, the detent member 45 will snap into engagement with an annular furrow formed in the plug conductor 16. As seen in Figure 2, the contact means 35 work through the respective apertures 34 in the supporting member 26, the springs 46 urging the contact means bodily into engagement-with the bridge means 16 or with the top surface oi the carrier block 65.

In operation, the bracket means 20 is suitably secured to a support, and in one illustrative embodiment, this support may be part of an automotive structure located near the brake lever (not shown). The actuating member 56 may be connectedto the brake lever by any suitable connection, which has its one end attached to the aperture 63 of the actuating member 56 and at its other end attached to the brake lever. With the carrier block 65 in the position shown in Figure 2, the connection between the actu ating member 56 and the brake lever, when the brake lever is in non-braking position, may hold the member 56 and the carrier block 65 in the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, so that the bridge means 66 would be out of bridging relation with the two contact means 35, and in this position the spring 64 would be further compressed. In this position, a signalling device, as for instance a stop light suitably connected in circuit with the contact means 35, would not be actuated, but when the brake lever is moved to braking position, the connection between the actuating means and the brake lever is constructed and arranged so that the spring 64 is permitted to move the carrier block to the position shown in Figure 2, wherein the signalling device is actuated. It will be appreciated that should the connection between the brake lever and actuating means be broken, the switching mechanism will be moved to signal operating position. If desired, the means efiecting connection between the actuating member 56 and the mechanism for actuating the member 56 may be constructed and arranged so that the bridge means 16 normally engages both contact means 35, and movement of the actuating mechanism moves the bridge means 10 out of engagement with the contact means 35, thereby providing a different operative position of the switch mechanism.

When the position of the carrier block 65 is reversed endwise with respect to that shown in Figure 2, so that the right hand end of the carrier block abuts the left hand end wall 56, the operation of the switching mechanism will be opposite to that first described, in that the spring 64 will normally urge the bridge means 16 carried by the carrier block 65 to non-bridging relation with the contact means 35, and the actuating means 56 would have to be pulled to the right (Figure 2) to cause the bridging means 16 to bridge the two contact means 35. With the carrier block 65 in its reversed position, it will be apparent that the actuating means 56 may be normally held in its extreme outward position by any suitable actuating mechanism, the urging force of the spring 64, so as to eifect bridging of the contact means 35 by the bridge means 16, and movement of the actuating mechanism permitting the spring 64 to urge the bridge means 16 out of bridging relation with the contact means 35. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that four normal operative 'positions of the switching mechanism may be eiiected.

Referring to Figure 5, the embodiment therein shown comprises a bracket means 11, in some respects similar to the bracket means 26, but differing from this latter bracket means in that a longitudinal groove 16, substantially semi-circular, is provided at the longitudinal axis 01' the Elongated slots 16 are provided on opposite sides 01' the groove 16, and cars 66 are struck upwardly from the transverse marmeans 11.

A casing means 6| is provided to cooperate with the bracket means 11, the casing means 6| having an aperture 62 in the top surface thereof, and at spaced points, the 62 is provided with downwardly struck fingers The fingers 83 originally assume a straight downward position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, to provide clearance for a supporting member 64, which is somewhat similar to the supporting member 26. The member 64, however, is assembled with the casing means 6| by inserting a part of the member 64 from within the casing 6| and through the aperture 62, the member 64 having a flange 65 abutting the inner top surface of the casing means 6| adjacent the aperture 62. The fingers 63 are then clinched over an inner part of the flange 65, as shown in full lines in Figure 5, thereby to hold the member 64 assembled with the casing means 6|. Contact means 35a are assembled with the member 64 in a manner substantially similar to that hereinbefore described, the contact means being provided with springs 46a interposed between the bottom of the well 36a and the contact 42a.

An actuating member 56a, similar to the actuating member 56, operatively actuates a carrier block 65a and a bridge means 16a, in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 4. The end walls of the casing means 6| are provided with generally semi-circular recesses 66, cooperable with the groove I6 to provide suitable bearing surfaces for the actuating means 56a. To assemble the switching mechanism, the actuating means 56a, carrying the carrier block 65a and bridge means 16a, is placed in the groove 16, and a plate 13a, similar to the plate 13, but contoured to fit within the groove 16, is slipped over the open end of the actuating means 56a. A spring 64a, carried within the actuating means 56a, is compressed, and the casing means 6| is placed in position on the bracket means 11, so that its end walls lie just within the length defined by the upwardly struck ears 66. The casing 6|, on the longitudinal margins adjacent its open end. is provided with ears adapted to pass through the slots 19 in the bracket means H, the ears being clinched over the under surface of the bracket means Tl, as shown at 91 in Figure The operation oi this embodiment is substantially similar to that described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 4.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the embodiment therein disclosed comprises a bracket member 99, shaped somewhat like the bracket means 29, in that a plane wall 89 is provided, the wall 99 having integral angular extensions for securing the bracket member 99 to a support. Formed in the wall 89 adjacent the longitudinal margins thereof, are pairs of spaced apart slots 99, and extending upwardly from the transverse ends of the wall 99 are integral walls 9I and 92. The wall 9I is provided with a trapezoidally shaped aperture 93, and the wall 92 is provided with a recess 94 which has an outline similar to the outline of the aperture 99, and intermediate the walls of the recess 99 is provided an abutment 95, the abutment 95 having a reenforcing corrugation 96 which is integral with a corrugation 91 formed in the adjacent part of the plane wall 99.

An actuating member 99 is adapted for cooperation with the bracket member 99, the member 98 being tubular and generally trapezoidally shaped in transverse section. The member 99 is formed with a closed end 99 and an open end I99, the latter end having its lower wall cut away, as at I9I. Intermediate the ends 99 and I99, the top and side walls of the member 99 are cut away to provide a recessed portion I92, forming shoulders I93 with the adjacent portions of the member 99.

A casing means I99, similar to the casing II, is provided to complete the enclosure for the switch mechamsm, the casing means I94 receiving a supporting member I99, the latter carrying contact means I96 in much the same manner as described in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 through 7. The end walls I91 of the easing means I99 are formed with trapezoidally shaped notches I99, and the extremities of the longitudinal margins are provided with fingers I99.

To assemble the switch mechanism disclosed in Figures 8 and 9, a spring I I9 is disposed within the tubular actuating member 99, and the open end of this member is inserted through the aperture 93 and the recess 94 formed in the end walls 9I and 92 respectively, until the shoulder I93 clears the inner surface of the wall 9| whereupon a carrier block III and a bridge member II2, similar to the parts 99 and 19 hereinbeiore referred to, are seated in the recess I92 of the member 98. The casing means I94, assembled with the supporting member I99 and contact means I96, is then positioned on the bracket member 99, the open mouth of the casing means being large enough so that the walls 9I and 92 of the bracket member 99 closely fit within the walls I91 of the casing means I99, the notches I98 in the walls I91 clearing the actuating member 99. In this position the fingers I99 are disposed through the slots 99, and the extremities of the fingers I99 are bent over the under side of the plane wall 99. With this construction, the stresses set up by compression of the spring H9 are taken up almost entirely by the walls 9I and 92 of the bracket member 99. The switching device may be connected with a brake lever or the like in any suitable manner, as before.

Referring to Figure 10, the embodiment therein disclosed, illustrates a switching device which controls a plurality of signalling devices. In this embodiment, two bridging means III and II are provided, each means being similar to the bridging means I9 hereinbeiore described, and both bridging means III and III are carried by an elongated carrier block I I9, which in turn is carried by an actuating member H9. Sets of contact means are adapted to cooperate with the bridging means III and III, and as here shown, two pairs of contact means III and II! are carried by an elongated supporting member I I9.

The contact means may have accommodation for more than one conductor terminal, as shown at I29 on one of the contact means H9. In this embodiment, as before, it will be apparent that cache! the bridging means III and I may be reversed in position to bring about a reversal in circuit controlling action.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention. and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreci ated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An electric switch, comprising: a casing means having recesses at opposite side walls; contact means, carried by one end wall of said casing means; bridge means, disposed within said casing means, and movable into and out of engagement with said contact means, to eiiect switching operation of said electric switch; generally i ibular actuating means, slidably disposed througa the recesses n said casing side walls, and connected to said bridge means for effecting movement of said bridge means; resilient means, disposed within said tubular actuating means, and having one end bearing against a portion of said actuating means, and its other end bearing against a side wall of said casing means adjacent the recess in this side wall, said resilient means urging said actuating means and the bridge means carried thereby to a predetermined position with respect to said contact means.

2. An electric switch, comprising: an openended casing; contact means carried by the end of said casing opposite said open end; bridge means, movable within said casing, and into and out of engagement with said contact means; actuating means, carrying said bridge means, for eiiecting movement of said bridge means; and said bridge means being located entirely adjacent one side of said actuating means, and closure means, fastened to said casing, and closing off the open end of said casing, said closure means having ..n elongated recess accommodating at least a portion of said actuating means, for guiding movement of said actuating means.

3. An electric switch, comprising: an openended casing; contact means carried by the end of said casing opposite said open end; bridge means, movable within said casing, and into and out of engagement with said contact means; actuating means, carrying said bridge means, for effecting movement of said bridge means, said actuating means having an elongated surface curved in cross-section; and closure means, fastened to said casing and closing off the open end of said casing, said closure means having an elongated rectilinear recess, curved in crosssection to slidably accommodate the curved surface of said actuating means, for guiding movement of said actuating means.

4. An electric switch, comprising: casing means, having recesses in opposite side walls; generally tubular actuating means, slidably disposed through the recesses in said side walls, and having a recessed portion within said casing; bridge means, carried for movement by said actuating means, and being assemblable with said actuating means merely by placing a portion of said bridge means into said recessed portion, and into engagement with the sides and bottom defining said recessed portion, said bridge means being cut out to generally continue the tubular outline of said actuating means adjacent said recessed portion; contact means, reciprocably carried by said casing means for movement toward and away from said bridge means, and having a portion for engagement with said bridge means; resilient means, constructed and arranged to press said contact means portion against said bridge means, thereby to yieldably hold said bridge means seated in said recessed portion; and resilient means, disposed within said tubular actuating means, constructed and arranged to urge said actuating ,means and the bridge means carried thereby to a predetermined relation with respect to said contact means.

5. An electric switch, comprising: a casing means, having apertures at opposite side walls; spring pressed contact means, carried by one end wall of said casing means; bridge means, disposed within said casing means, and movable into and out of engagement with said contact means, to effect switching operation of said eleciric switch; generally tubular actuating means, slidably disposed through the apertures in said casing side walls, and connected to said bridge means for eflecting movement of said bridge means; resilient means, disposed within said tubular actuating means, and having one end bearing against a portion of said actuating means, and its other end bearing against a side wall of said casing means adjacent the aperture in this side wall, said resilient means urging said actuating means and the bridge means carried thereby to a predetermined position with respect to said spring pressed contact means.

6. An electric switch, comprising: an openended casing; reciprocating contact means carried by the end of said casing opposite said open end; bridge means, movable within said casing, and into and out of engagement with said contact means; actuating means, carrying said bridge means, for effecting movement of said bridge means; and said bridge means being located entirely adjacent one side of said actuating means; closure means, fastened to said casing and closing off the open end of said casing, said closure means having an elongated recess accommodating at least a portion of said actuating means, for guiding the movement of said actuating means, and resilient means operatively related to said reciprocating contact means for urging said contact means toward said bridge means and functioning to assist in holding said bridge means relative to said actuating means.

7. An electric switch, comprising: an openended casing; reciprocating contact means carried by the end of said casing opposite said open end; bridge means, movable within said casing, and into and out of engagement with said contact means; actuating means, carrying said bridge means, for elfecting movement of said bridge means, said actuating means having an elongated surface curved in cross section; closure means, fastened to said casing and closing of! the open end of said casing, said closure means having an elongated oblong recess, curved in cross section to slidably accommodate the curved surface of said actuating means, for guiding the movement of said actuating means, and resilient means operatively related to said reciprocating contact means for urging said contact means toward said bridge means and functioning to assist in holding said bridge means relative to said actuating means.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

